Grasshoppers

Lubber Grasshopper

Grasshoppers make up the largest amount of aboveground biomass of plant feeders on Konza Prairie, with the exception of bison. This makes them the second most important grazer on the tallgrass prairie. The impact of grasshoppers on the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and their great abundance, have made them an important species to monitor.

More than 60 species of grasshoppers are known to occur in the Flint Hills. Others may be found here, but are not yet cataloged. Grasshoppers can feed on grasses, forbs, or both. Very little evidence of damage from grasshoppers' grazing is usually seen in the prairie, unlike the effect grasshoppers may have on man's crops and pastures.

You can collect grasshoppers with a net or with a large-mouth plastic jar and lid. Either way, they are fast and fun to chase. Put your specimens in the freezer for a couple of days to kill them. Then the grasshoppers will be ready to pin.


PINNING GRASSHOPPERS There are several different ways to pin an insect specimen depending on its size. Medium to large insects are pinned directly through the body.

Number 2 and 3 pins are usually used. The part of the body through which the pin is passed is very important and varies for different kinds of insects. A grasshopper is pinned through the thorax, as in the drawing above. Neatly orient the insect at right angles to the pin all the way around. The height at which you place your specimen on the pin should be uniform, usually with about one-third of the pin showing above the dorsal side of the insect. This is important because you need room above the insect so it can be handled easily. A simple pinning block, which you can make or purchase, will give you uniformity in pinning.

LABELING

Correct and legible data are an absolute necessity. A specimen without data is scientifically of little value. The real value of a specimen may be in the knowledge that it is unusual in relationship to other specimens of the same species, such as whether it was caught in an unusual location or time. Remember that you have a very real opportunity to collect a species new to science, and other entomologists will want to know where and how you collected your new species.

To learn the group your grasshopper belongs to, click on the GRASSHOPPER KEY button. A series of descriptions will allow you to identify your grasshopper.

GLOSSARY

biomass - the amount of living matter in a unit area or volume of a
               habitat

data - factual material; information

dorsal - situated or near the back (for most animals this is the top
            side); opposite of ventral

entomologists - a specialists in the branch of biology that deals
                       with insects

forbs - plants other than grasses; broadleaf herbaceous plants


key - a series of descriptions which allows you to identify the
         group an insect belongs to

species - a class of individuals having common attributes and
             designated by a common name

thorax - the middle of the three divisions of an insect body - head,
             thorax, abdomen

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